Thread by @kazweida

This #SundayMorning let's talk judiciary. The balance of SCOTUS, transformed by master obstructionist & grim reaper Mitch McConnell, has become vitally important as threats to Roe v Wade mount.

What can Dems do to right the ship in 2020 & beyond?
(THREAD)
vox.com/2019/5/15/1862…

(2) Let's start with where we are. It's bad, folks.
McConnell pushed through close to 40 appellate judges in 3 years compared to 55 Obama nominated in 8 years.

The Senate slashed debate on nominees from 40 hours to 2 so they could move even faster.
latimes.com/politics/la-na…

(3) To emphasize how dramatically this departs from norms, look at the nomination of Eric Miler to Washington's 9th circuit.

Miller is the first appeals court judge confirmed over the objection of both home state senators since at least 1956.

rollcall.com/news/congress/…

(4) Since Kennedy announced his retirement there's been a lot of discussion about court packing.

It's something that was a disaster for FDR, but some say even the threat of court packing can be a check on power grabs.
motherjones.com/politics/2019/…

(5) Still, it's a highly partisan move that Democrats are unlikely to have the votes in the Senate or the stomach for in 2020.

Instead, many Dem presidential candidates have looked towards SCOTUS reform solutions like a rotating panel of judges.

nymag.com/intelligencer/…

(6) A longer-term solution that'd bring true reform to SCOTUS would be to impose term limits. Lifetime appointments don't reflect changing values or societal norms.

Restoring balance to the court with this solution, however, might take decades.

theatlantic.com/politics/archi…

(7) For now, the best way forward may be to focus on salvaging what we can at the state and local levels. State courts are vital in deciding things like voting rights and election integrity, and they can build a base from which to take back the judicial.

newrepublic.com/article/151640…

(8) Regardless of whatever solution Dems choose to pursue to address partisanship in the judicial, one thing is certain. Unless Democrats win the margins needed in the Senate to pass meaningful legislation and reform, nothing will change.

washingtonpost.com/powerpost/math…

(9) If you're concerned about the future of reproductive rights, the most important thing you can do is help Dem candidates hold the house and take back seats in the Senate. We need the same enthusiasm behind the blue wave in 2018's midterms on steroids.

rollcall.com/video/first_20…

(10) Any discussion of reforming the judicial and undoing the damage of this administration starts with taking the Senate.

Act like Roe v. Wade is on the ballot in 2020. Because it is.
This is a war on women. Let's win it.

nytimes.com/2019/05/15/us/…

(END) Thanks to @DreamingDrama_ for the #SundayMorning thread suggestion. Come back next weekend and we'll do this again.

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